KKR's big bet: a ₹6,000 crore stake sale! Which IPO will hold the biggest surprise?:

News Topical, Digital Desk : US private equity firm KKR's Asia Infrastructure Fund is preparing to sell stakes worth $600-700 million (approximately Rs 5,000-6,000 crore) in three portfolio companies. The fund is one of the most active in the infrastructure sector in India, Moneycontrol reported, citing sources.

KKR invests in the road and renewable energy sectors through its Asia funds. The fund has invested a significant portion of its $7 billion in India. These investments include India Grid Trust, Vertis Infrastructure Trust, Hero Future Energies, Serentica Renewables, and Leap India.

Stake Sale in Vertis
Earlier this month, KKR Infrastructure Fund sold a stake in Vertis Infrastructure Trust worth approximately ₹2,050 crore (approximately $230 million). Vertis is an infrastructure investment trust (InvIT) that controls road and highway assets and has assets worth over ₹25,000 crore.

IPOs in Leap India and Hero Future Energies KKR's exit plan also includes the IPO of Leap India Limited, a pallet pooling company that provides services to the logistics industry. Leap India filed draft papers for its IPO on August 29. The size of this IPO is ₹2,400 crore, of which ₹2,000 crore (approximately $227 million) is KKR's secondary share sale. Furthermore, Hero Future Energies is also expected to file draft papers for its IPO in the next few months. Vertis Infrastructure Trust is also in talks to hire investment banks for its IPO.

How much money is planned to be raised through the IPO and what is its size? Both IPOs are expected to be ₹3,000-₹4,000 crore, and KKR expects to sell stakes worth ₹1,000-₹2,000 crore (approximately $114-₹227 million) collectively in both deals. Overall, KKR will raise ₹5,000-₹6,000 crore from its stake sale.

What is KKR's strategy? In a traditional infrastructure strategy, assets are typically sold in the private market to other financial or strategic investors. However, KKR is using the capital markets. It is positioning these assets as growth platforms rather than traditional infrastructure yields.